The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-24
The People Will Speak.

United States in the coupon cases which
have been taken before it, will, in the end,
amount TO nothing of practical relief
The methods employed to enforce uncon-
stitutional State legislation, can only
bring dlscredit upon Virginia impose
almost indefinite costs, which the people
will have to pay, arrest the inflow Of cap
ital, and in every way damage the Com
monwealtb. There seems to be a sysJe
matte policy adopted by the State au
thorities to force every interest to. submit
to laws which are no laws, because they
are in conflict with the letter and intent
of both the Federal and State constitu-
tions, and a persistent purpose to de-
nouncs and traduce every man who raises
a question Or enters a protest against such
illegal and indefensible proceedings. The
result Of all this insane excess will be that
the decisions of the Federal Courts Will
eventually have to be recognized as the
supreme law, but not until the patience
of the people has been worn threadbare
by the silly, passionate and reckless course
of the present State administration, and
their Indignation find expression in a
wholesale condemnation. 1t is not to be
supposed that the coupon holder, with
the Supreme Court of the United States
to back him, is going to submit to the
threats and prosecutions of the State au-
thorities, without availing himself OF eve
ry appeal and resort the law allows. Nor
can it be expected that the creditor, with
the mandate Of the highest court Of the
land in his hand, will accede to any prop.
osition involving the curtailment of his
adjudicated claim, which is sought to be en-
forced by brute force through the forms
of unconstitutional enactments. The out
come of it all will be that the revolutiona-
ry methods which are being employed to
defeat the declared law, will fail, and the
legally established rights of the creditors
be fully recognized. To this it must come
at last, for this is presumed to be country
governed by laws, and that the determine
lions of the highest Judicial tribunals will
be accepted as the rule to govern the con-
duct OI lne cltlZen.
" it'll these premises fully recognized by
both the State and the creditor, there will
be no difficulty in reaching a solution of
the debt problem. The creditor would see
that it would be to his interest to meet the
State on basis Of compromise. comport-
ing with her ability to pay, and that the
wiSeSt. safest and most economical policy
would be to amicabIy adjust the matter by
such concessions as the necessity of the
case demanded Self interests would sug
gest this course.
We are sure the people Of the State, ir
respective of political parties, are becom
ing exceedingly Disguised over the con-
slant and aggravating agitation of the debt
question. They know enough about it to
recognize the fact that the decisions of tie
courts will have to be eventually respected
ing upon the tricks and legerdemain of
lawyers to escape from the clear and dis
tinct determinations of the tribunal of last
resort in legal controversies They know,
wv. tliC ultlp IiNu UNFlSNo w CfttOO
these determinations, are attended with
heavy costs, which they have to pay, with
the certain result that there can be no
compensation for the irregular and eXas-
perating proceedings which impose this
cost. They know that they have all to
lose and nothing to gain by the yexatious
complications which are occurring every
day, and that unless something of prac-
tical and feasible nature is done, the dam
age to the State and to themselves will be
beyond computation. There is deep and
intense feeling of unrest prevailing among
the masses, because of the embarrassing
conditions which have been forced upon
them by the politicians. The welfare of
the tax payers and those who really con-
stitlte the State, is rot considered in
the various schemes and plots to MAINTAIN
party ascendancy and promote partizan in
terests. They have to bear the burdens,
it is true, but they are meyer consulted by
the self-constituted managers, who assume
to be the State, and subordinate every in
terest to their own selfish plans and purpo-
ses. The future welfare of the Common
wealth is left out of the count. The dstruSt
which is manifested in capital and enter
prise passing by Virginia to naturally less
inviting fields is never thought of. Other
States are moving forward under the in
SEPARATION of business confidence and actiy
ity, while Virginia is practically ignored.
Yet the politicians continue their wrangle
and contention for partizan advantage,
and the people have to meekly submit to
the wrong, and suffer the denunciat;ons Of
the political schemers who are seeking to
enhance their own fortune through the
machinery of party organization.
This condition Of things cannot last long.
The aroused resentment of the offended
people will assert itself. Their material
salvation depends upon and demands
heroic protest, which will shatter party
trammels and proclaim their independence
Of the insufferable plotters who have DEM
onstrated that they care Eothing for the
real interests of the masses or the reputa
ton and prosperity of the Commonwealth.
In the next general election it will not be
who shall be United States Senator. or who
shall fill the basement offices, or what po
litical ring shall rule at Richmond. 1t
will be an issue of much broader and far
more vital import, when political var
plots will be measured for what they are
worth, and the great concerns of the peo-
pie and the honor and character Of Virginia
will be made paramount. Party lines drawn
and defined by present party leaders will
amount to no more than rope of sand
Appeals to party pride and political no.
will be as so much sounding
brass and tinkling eymbal in the presence
Of the great needs of the Comm )nWealth
and the vital questions involving
State character. The People will move,
and politicians and time servers will have
TO get out Of the way. They are sensibly
feeling the wrongs imposed upon them,
and they well know whence they come,
and how to correct them. This they will |
10. and pass unhpeded the professions and |
promises of the conspirators who have
-uled them heretofore almost to their ruin.
We admonish the politicians this far in
advance what is in store for them. We